Needle-threader.



PATENTED AUG. 4, 1903;

v T. GOPFEY.

NEEDLE THREADER. APPLIUATION TIL ED JULY 22, 1902.

2 BHEET3-SHEET 1.

HO MODEL.

I I QAifQI'IJZyS No. 735,211. PATENT'ED AUG. 4, 1903.

T. GOPFEY.

NEEDLE THREADER.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 22, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITED STATES Patented August 4, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

NEEDLE-THREADER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 735,211, dated August 4:, 1903. Application filed July 22, I902. Serial No. 116,573. (No model.)

To all whom it may concerns Be it known that I, THEODORE OOFFEY, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Bloomington, in the county of McLean and Stateof Illinois, have invented anew and useful Needle-Threader, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to needle-threaders.

The object of the invention is to providea needle-threader which may with readiness and ease and without the exercise of particular care and skill be employed for threading either a hand or sewing-machine needle.

lVith these and other objects in view,as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction and combination of parts of a needle-threader, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts, there are illustrated three forms of embodiment of the invention, each capable of carrying the same into practical operation, it being understood that the elements therein exhibited may be varied or changed as to shape, proportion, and exact manner of assemblage without departing from the spirit thereof, and in these drawings Figure l is a view in perspective of a needle-threader characterizing the present invention. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation. Fig. 3 is a view in transverse section taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a needle-threader adapted for use in connection with a spool of cotton. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken centrally through Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a view in side elevation of a slightly modified form of the device. Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal sec tion. Fig. 8 is a view in horizontal section taken through the center of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the shank of a needle-threader, the same being constructed, preferably, of a non-corrosive substance, such as aluminium, folded longitudinally upon itself to present a two-ply structure, and then doubled upon itself to present two arms 2 and 3, the former of which is the longer, the two arms being held assembled by an eyelet or equivalent form of fastening device at. The shank is by preference made of sheet metal and in the manner described, but it is to be understood that it may be otherwise constructed and still be within the scope of the invention. Secured in the bend of the shorter arm is the spear or threader 5, the same being constructed of a piece of tempered or resilient metal held in place by the eyelet at, the barb 6 of the spear being disposed adjacent to the upper edge of the shank and opposite a notch or depression 7 cut in the longer arm 2. The shoulder 8, formed by the termination of the shorter arm 3, constitutes a stop to limit the insertion of the spear within the eye of a needle, the extension of the arm 2 beyond the shoulder operating as a guide against which the needle is pressed when being threaded. The guide is necessary to the proper operation of the device and materially facilitates the threadin g of the needle,as when the needle is placed against the guide and moved toward the spear the latter will with certainty be passed through the needles eye.

To protect the spear and barb from injury, these parts being of necessity extremely delicate, they are disposed below the upper edge of the shank, and in order to permit the thread to be engaged by the barb it is necessary to provide the notch '7, as will be obvious by reference to the drawings. B y this arrangement it will be seen that should the threader be dropped or the upper edge of the shank be struck against a hard object the spear and barb will be positively shielded from damage.

In threading a needle, say an ordinary hand-needle, the same is held in vertical position and the barb is inserted through the eye of the needle, the threader being held in the right hand between the thumb and forefinger with the thread held under the thumb. After the needle is on the barb the thread is brought around in front of the needle and drawn down upon the shank of the spear and is held there by the forefinger by pressing it against the long arm of the shank of the threader, and upon rearward movement being imparted to the threader the thread'will be drawn through the eyeof the needle.

In the form of embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the shank is bent at right angles to itself, as shown at 9, and is in transverse diameter of a size to fit snugly within the spindle-opening of a spool. The spear-bearing end of the shank is guttered in order to facilitate the operation of the device and also to bring the spear practically into horizontal position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The object of combining the threader with the spool of cotton is to have it within convenient reach at all times and to obviate its loss, as the spool bearing the threader may be placed upon a sewing-machine table and thus at all times be readily seen.

To extend the range of usefulness of the device there may be combined with it a knifeblade 10, as shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8, to be used for ripping and other purposes. The blade is secured within the shank by cutting away a portion of the bend at the rear end thereof, as shown at 11, for the reception of the tang, which is held in position by a rivet 11, the blade being held from folding back in use by a stop 12, formed by the solid 'portion of the bend, as clearly shown in Fig. 7, which when the blade is open is engaged by the rear wall of the shank of the blade.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A device of the character specified, comprising a shank provided on one edge with a recess and a spear fixed to, projecting from and parallel with said shank and having its barb disposed opposite the recess and below the edge of the shank.

2. A device of the character specified, comprising a shank composed of two parallel members of unequal length, the longer member being provided with a recess adjacent to the terminal of the shorter member, a spear associated with the shorter member and having its barb disposed opposite the recess, and means for rigidly assembling the two members.

3. A device of the character specified, comprising a shank, a fixed spear lying parallel to said shank and having its barb disposed below one edge of the shank, and a guide projecting beyond the spear.

4. A device of the character specified, comprising a shank provided with a shoulder and with a guide, and a fixed spear lying parallel to said shank and having its barb disposed below the edge of the shank.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aifixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THEODORE COFFEY.

Witnesses:

JOHN IRVIN, ANNIE B. SHELLER. 

